Smart space appliance control using a mobile communications device

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling appliances can include the step of presenting at least one appliance option for a controlled appliance upon a mobile communications device having mobile telephony capabilities. At least one appliance message can be transmitted across the wireless communications link between a smart space control unit and the mobile communications device. In one arrangement, wireless communication link can be a mobile telephony link. At least one appliance signal can be conveyed between the smart space control unit and the controlled appliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/486,018, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Officeon Jul. 10, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/490,717 filedin the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 29, 2003, theentirety of both applications is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of mobile communicationsdevices and, more particularly, to a mobile communication device forcontrolling appliances in a smart space.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many modern homes have begun to include remotely controllableappliances, such as lights, doors, coffee machines, temperaturecontrols, home theatre systems, communication systems, security cameras,surveillance equipment, and/or the like. Controlled appliances eitherinclude integrated circuitry through which operative states can becontrolled, or are coupled to control modules, such as an X10 (TM)module from X10 Wireless Technology, Inc of Seattle, Wash. Often,controlled appliances can be manipulated using remote control unitsand/or control panels. Further, controlled appliances can be centrallycontrolled by a computer executing appliance automation software.

Conventional control mechanisms for remotely controlling applianceswithin a smart space have many shortcomings. For example, many of thecontrol mechanisms are not portable and are operable only at arelatively fixed location. As such, it can often be more inconvenientfor a user to access the control mechanism than to access the controlledappliance directly. That is, a user wanting to turn off a lamp may findit easier to walk across a room and deactivate the lamp than to walkover to a lamp control panel and turn off the lamp. Similarly, manuallyoperating an appliance may be more convenient than moving to a computer,accessing an automation software application, and selecting appropriatesoftware controls to operate the appliance.

Conventional portable control devices, like remote controls, have otherproblems. One such problem is that spaces equipped with controllableappliances typically have an excessive number of remote controlsdesigned to control various ones of these devices. For example, anautomated living room can utilize a television remote control, a stereoremote control, a DVD player remote control, a lighting remote control,and/or the like. The sheer quantity of remote controls available canresult in user confusion, remote controls being misplaced, and otherproblems associated with the utilization of an unwieldy number of remotecontrol units.

Yet another problem with existing portable controllers is that thesecontrollers are generally designed to function only when the controlleris in close proximity to the controlled device. Further, appliancecontrollers rarely provide a user with operational status information,such as whether a controlled device is on or off.

It would be advantageous if automated appliances could be controlledthrough a single, portable device. Optimally, appliance controlfunctionality could be incorporated into an unobtrusive device that auser normally carries for other purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method, a system, and an apparatus forremotely controlling appliances linked to a smart space control unitusing a mobile communications device, such as a mobile telephone. Morespecifically, a mobile communication device (MCD) having mobiletelephony capabilities can be wirelessly connected to a smart spacecontrol unit (SSCU), which can centrally control a multitude ofappliances. Communications between the MCD and the SSCU can occur via amobile telephony link and/or short range wireless link, such as 802.11communication link. In one embodiment, the MCD can include a displayscreen that presents information concerning remotely controllableappliances. For example, status information for the appliances andavailable options for controlling the appliances can be presented viathe display screen.

One aspect of the present invention can include a method for controllingappliances, where an appliance can refer to any controlled device orcomponent that is useful for a particular job, such as a light, a coffeemaker, a door, a doorbell, a surveillance camera, an answering machine,a stereo, and/or the like. The method can include the step of presentingat least one appliance option for a controlled appliance upon a MCD. Atleast one appliance message can be transmitted across the wirelesscommunications link between a SSCU and a MCD having mobile telephonycapabilities. In one embodiment, the wireless communication link can bea mobile telephony link. In another embodiment, the MCD can be a thinclient and the SSCU can be a server for the thin client. For example,the SSCU can be a server for centrally controlling a smart home. Atleast one appliance signal can be conveyed between the SSCU and thecontrolled appliance.

In one embodiment, the application signal can be conveyed overelectrical power lines using a power-line carrier protocol. In anotherembodiment, the controlled appliance can be controlled using a controlmodule that receives appliance signals and responsively initiatesappliance actions. For example, an X10 module can be used as the controlmodule.

A status inquiry for a controlled appliance can be received by the MCD.The status inquiry can be sent to the SSCU within one of the appliancemessages and thereafter sent to the controlled appliance within one ofthe appliance signals. In response, an operational condition of thecontrolled appliance can be detected. For example, a determination canbe made as to whether an appliance, such as a light, is on or off. Inanother example, a determination can be made as to whether a monitoreddoor is opened/closed or locked/unlocked.

Information pertaining to the detected operational condition can be sentto the SSCU within one of the appliance signals and thereafter sent tothe MCD within one of the appliance messages. An indicator of theoperational condition can be displayed upon the MCD. For example, agraphic can be displayed upon the MCD to visually illustrate theoperational condition. In such an example, different graphics can bedisplayed to visually illustrate different operational conditions. Inanother example, the indicator can include a speech message that can beaudibly played by the MCD to indicate the operational condition of thecontrolled appliance.

In a particular embodiment, a control notifier can be received via theMCD for the controlled appliance. At least one operational condition ofthe controlled appliance can be responsively adjusted. In anotherembodiment, an identification key can be conveyed to the SSCU from theMCD. The MCD can be authorized to access the SSCU based upon theidentification key.

Another arrangement of the present invention can include a system forcontrolling appliances including a MCD and a SSCU. The MCD can beconfigured for mobile telephony communications. The SSCU can manage atleast one controlled appliance. The MCD can also include an interfacefor remotely managing the controlled appliance, where data can beexchanged between the MCD and the controlled appliance using the SSCU asan intermediary. In one embodiment, the controlled appliance can belinked to the SSCU through electrical lines, where data can be conveyedbetween the SSCU and the controlled application using a power-linecarrier protocol.

In a particular embodiment, the MCD can be a thin client and the SSCUcan be the thin client server. In another embodiment, the SSCU caninclude a Tiny interNet interface (TINI). Additionally, the controlledappliance can include a control module configured to receive data fromthe SSCU and responsively initiate at least one appliance action. Thecontrol module can be imposed between operative portions of thecontrolled appliance and a power source used by the controlledappliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are shown in the drawings, embodiments that are presentlypreferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mobilecommunications device (MCD) configured in accordance with the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an MCD in accordance with theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary graphical user interface of the MCD inaccordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3B is another exemplary graphical user interface of the MCD inaccordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3C is still another exemplary graphical user interface of the MCDin accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3D is yet another exemplary graphical user interface of the MCD inaccordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary environment inwhich a MCD can be utilized in accordance with the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary systemsupporting the MCD 200 in accordance with the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling anappliance linked to a smart space control unit using a MCD in accordancewith the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for displaying appliance data upon aMCD in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling anappliance using a MCD in accordance with the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mobilecommunications device (MCD) 100 having mobile telephony and appliancecontrol capabilities in accordance with the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein. As shown, the MCD 100 can include a processor 105, amobile telephony transceiver 110, audio circuitry 115, a short rangewireless transceiver 120, a memory 125, and an interface port 145. Eachof the aforementioned components can be communicatively linked via asuitable communications bus 150 or other circuitry.

The processor 105 can execute a suitable operating system and one ormore applications for controlling the various appliance controlfunctions of the MCD 100. The memory 125 can be implemented as randomaccess memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), or any other type of physical memory suitablefor use within a portable computing device, such as the MCD 100. Itshould be appreciated that the memory 125, while illustrated as aseparate unit, can be incorporated into the processor 105 or anotherdevice.

Wireless signals can be received and sent via the antenna 155 which canbe suited for longer-range communications such as conventional cellularor personal communication service (PCS) communications. Accordingly, theantenna 155 can be operatively connected to the mobile telephonytransceiver 110. Signals detected by antenna 155 can be provided to themobile telephony transceiver 110 for processing and decoding. Forexample, the mobile telephony transceiver 110 can include a codec forcoding and decoding information received or to be sent via wirelesstransmission. The transceiver 110 can make the decoded signals and/orinformation available to other components of the MCD 100 for processing.Outbound information received by the mobile telephony transceiver 110can be coded and/or formatted for wireless transmission by the codec andthen provided to the antenna 155 for transmission.

In one embodiment, the MCD 100 can communicate via conventional cellulartelephone and/or PCS telephone calls and access wireless networks, forexample using Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) or another suitablewireless communications protocol, such that the MCD 100 can access theInternet, the Web, a Local Area Network (LAN), and/or a wide areanetwork (WAN), as well as any applications and/or services disposed onsuch networks via a wireless communications link.

The audio circuitry 115 can include a microphone or other transduciveelement (not shown) for receiving sound and one or moreanalog-to-digital converters (not shown) for digitizing the receivedsound. The audio circuitry 115 further can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (not shown) for converting digitalinformation into an analog signal. The audio circuitry 115 can include aspeaker or other transducive element (not shown) for generating soundfrom an analog signal as well as one or more amplifiers (not shown).Notably, the MCD 100 can include one or more audio output jacks and/oror other digital data interface ports 145.

It should be appreciated that the audio circuitry 115 can includeadditional processors, such as digital signal processors (DSP) as may berequired for processing audio and performing functions such as audioencoding, audio decoding, noise reduction, and/or the like. According toone embodiment of the present invention, the audio circuitry can beimplemented using one or more discrete components. In anotherarrangement, the audio circuitry 115 can be implemented using one ormore larger integrated circuits configured to perform the variousfunctions disclosed herein.

The audio circuitry 115 can also include and/or be communicativelylinked to automatic speech recognition (ASR) and synthetic speechgeneration components that can be used to perform text-to-speech andspeech-to-text conversions. When the audio circuitry 115 includes ASRand/or speech generation components suitable software and/or firmwarecan be embedded within the audio circuitry 115. When the audio circuitry115 is communicatively linked to remotely located ASR and/or speechgeneration components, communications between the audio circuitry 115and the remotely located components can occur using the mobile telephonytransceiver 110, the short range wireless transceiver 120, the interfaceport 145, and any other suitable elements.

The MCD 100 also can include a short range wireless transceiver 120 aswell as an antenna 160 operatively connected thereto. The short rangewireless transceiver 120 can both send and receive data. For example,according to one embodiment of the present invention, the short rangewireless transceiver 120 can be implemented as a BlueTooth-enabledwireless transceiver, or as a transceiver configured to communicate withone of the 802.11 family of short range wireless communicationsspecifications. The short range wireless transceiver 120 andaccompanying antenna 160 can be configured to communicate using any of avariety of short range, wireless communications protocols and/orsystems. Accordingly, the various examples disclosed herein have beenprovided for illustration only and should not be construed as alimitation of the present invention.

The interface port 145 can be used to physically connect devices and/orperipherals to the MCD 100. For example, the interface port 145 can be astandard wall jack to initiate telephone calls over the Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN). The interface port 145 can also include auniversal serial bus (USB) port, a firewire (IEEE 1394) port, a parallelport, a COM port like an RS-232 port, an Ethernet port, an audio port,and/or the like. Use of the interface port 145 for communicativelylinking the MCD 100 with a smart space control unit (SSCU) or otherexternal device can be advantageous in situations where wirelessconnectivity may not be available, is intermittent, or otherwiseunsuitable for a particular purpose.

The MCD 100 also can include a variety of other components which havenot been illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the MCD 100 can includecomponents such as a modem, a media port, and other components common toportable computing devices, which can include personal data assistants(PDAs), notebook computers, mobile telephones, computing tablets, and/orthe like.

Each of the various components of the MCD 100 disclosed herein can becommunicatively linked with one another using appropriate circuitry,whether through the memory 125, one or more additional memories (notshown), the processor 105, one or more additional interface processorsor logic controllers (not shown), and/or the communications bus 150.

Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that the variouscomponents disclosed herein can be embodied in various other forms andthat the configuration disclosed and described with reference to FIG. 1is provided for purposes of illustration only. For example, the variouscomponents can be implemented as one or more discrete components, as oneor more processors, logic controllers, and/or DSP's, or any combinationthereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary mobilecommunications device (MCD) 200 in accordance with the inventivearrangements disclosed herein. As shown, the MCD 200 can include apresentation element 205, one or more control or operational keys 210,which can include special function command keys for operation of one ormore of the functions disclosed herein, alphanumeric keys or buttons215, and an antenna 220 (which may be configured to be fully locatedwithin the MCD 200). The MCD 200 further can include a battery or otherpower source (not shown).

The physical arrangement of the MCD 200 has been provided for purposesof illustration only. As such, it should be appreciated that the variouscomponents can be located in any of a variety of differentconfigurations. For example, the MCD 200 can include additional keys orcontrols disposed on the frontal portion or the sides of the unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the physicalarrangement of the MCD 200 can be conducive for use by individuals thatmay have difficulty accessing and/or operating the various keys and/orcontrols of conventional mobile computing devices, such as the elderly,persons with physical disabilities, or other infirmities. For example,the control keys 210 and the alphanumeric keys 215 of the MCD 200 can belarger in size than conventional cellular device keys and can be spaceda greater distance from one another with respect to both the width andlength of the MCD 200. That is, the horizontal key spacing and thevertical key spacing can be greater than that found with conventionalcellular devices. Further, the control keys 210 can include Braillemarkings for key identification purposes.

The presentation element 205 can include a visual display, an audiblepresentation mechanism like a speaker, and/or the like. When thepresentation element 205 includes a display screen, this display can bea liquid crystal display (LCD) implemented in either grayscale or color,a touch screen, or any other type of suitable display screen. Thepresentation element 205 can include a display screen that is largerthan those found on conventional mobile computing devices and can havean increased contrast ratio if so desired.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MCD 200 can be configured with one or more shortrange wireless transceivers 225. While the short range wirelesstransceiver 225 can be positioned on the MCD 200 in any of a variety ofdifferent locations, according to one embodiment, the short rangewireless transceiver 225 can be positioned at the top portion of the MCD200. Other elements of the MCD 200 can be located throughout theinterior and exterior portions of the MCD 200 in a suitable fashion andneed not be located in the positions indicated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) 300 of the MCD inaccordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. GUI 300presents a welcome screen that includes information gathered from one ormore controlled appliances. Different users can identify themselves viaa user selection control 305 and GUI 300 will automatically update itspresentation for the selected user in accordance with the selecteduser's previously established preferences.

In one embodiment, a communication section 310 can displaycommunications that have been recently received. The communicationsection 310 can be filtered to display only communications originatingfrom a particular source or sources and to not display othercommunications. For example, telemarketing telephone solicitations canbe filtered and family members can be displayed. The communicationsection 310 can present communication information gathered from multiplecontrolled devices. For example, voice message data can be automaticallygathered from a controlled answering machine, postal mail informationcan be provided using a controlled mailbox with package sensingcapabilities, and new e-mail data can be queried via an e-mail clientcommunicatively linked to the MCD.

An appliance automation section 315 can be used to initiate applianceactions. For example, when the user identified within GUI 300 is acoffee drinker, a prompt can be presented within the section 315 tostart a controlled coffee machine. Another user, one that does not drinkcoffee, may be presented with other options. For instance, a userinterested in the stock market might be asked if that user would like toreceive a current stock portfolio update. In another example, a userwith new messages as noted in section 310 can be asked in section 315 ifone or more callers should be called in light of a received message fromthat caller.

The GUI 300 is not limited to displaying information relating toappliance management, but can also contain other data. For example, theGUI 300 can present scheduling, contact management data, and other suchinformation to the user.

FIG. 3B illustrates a GUI 320 of the MCD in accordance with theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. The GUI 325 can presentapplication control information for one or more smart spaces, wheredifferent smart spaces can be selected using the space selection control325. The selection of different smart spaces can result in differentoptions being presented in GUI 320 depending on the capabilities of thechosen smart space. It should be appreciated that different smart spacescan be controlled by different smart space control units (SSCUs).Accordingly, a selection within the space selection control 325 candetermine that the MCD is to receive and transmit data between itselfand a selected one of many available SSCUs.

The GUI 320 can group controllable appliances in a multitude ofdifferent manners. For example, a system section 330 can groupappliances by appliance category, where categories can includeappliances, doors, communications, security, video monitors, and thelike. Each category can be represented as an expandable node, theexpansion of which causes all devices within the selected category to bepresented. In another example, a room section 335 of the GUI 320 cangroup appliances according to appliance location. The categories andpresentation mechanisms provided in GUI 320 are intended forillustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limitations uponthe inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3C illustrates a GUI 340 of the MCD in accordance with theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. The GUI 340 presents a locationspecific screen for appliance monitoring and control to a user. Thecontrolled location can be altered using a location selection control345. For any selected location, a multitude of different controlledappliances can be displayed. For example, when the location selected isa kitchen, appliances within the kitchen, such as an overhead light, astove top light, a stove fan, a stove, a coffee maker, and/or the like,can be presented in GUI 340.

Each appliance presented in GUI 340 can have an associated statusindicator 350, such as a check box indicating whether an appliance iscurrently powered on or off. Further, each appliance can have anassociated graphic 355. In particular embodiments, the graphic 355 canvary depending upon the current status of an associated appliance. Forexample, different icons can be provided for the coffee maker toindicate that coffee is being brewed, is currently available, is notavailable, and the like. When a location is monitored by a video device,a button can appear in GUI 340 to indicate that the location can beviewed via the MCD, assuming the MCD has video viewing capabilities.

FIG. 3D illustrates a GUI 360 of the MCD in accordance with theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. The GUI 360 can present imagesand/or video from a selected controlled device upon a viewing area 370of the MCD. A camera selection control 365 can be used to select whichof many available devices is to provide video to the MCD. A multitude ofdevice control options can be presented within a control section 375.

In one embodiment, the GUI 360 can be used to provide doorway monitoringand access control. For example, when a home visitor rings a doorbell,entry control functionality of a MCD can be triggered resulting in GUI360 being automatically displayed within the MCD. The viewing area 370can display a video of the visitor, as taken via an appropriatelylocated video camera. The user of the MCD can then select controls inthe control section 375 to interact with the visitor. For example, onecontrol can allow the user to talk to the visitor, another to unlock theappropriate doorway so that visitor can enter, another to dial emergencyassistance should the visitor be a threat, and the like.

It should be appreciated that GUIs 300, 320, 340, and 360 disclosedherein are shown for purposes of illustration only. Accordingly, thepresent invention is not limited by the particular GUI or data entrymechanisms contained within views of the representative GUIs. Rather,those skilled in the art will recognize that any of a variety ofdifferent GUI controls, selectors, fields, and/or the like can be usedwithout departing from the intended scope of the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the MCD 200 can communicate with a SSCU 405. The MCD200 can include one or more application programs which allow the user toaccess the functionality of the various systems and/or devices connectedto the SSCU 405. In one embodiment, the MCD 200 can be a thin client andthe SSCU 405 can function as an application server. The SSCU 405 canalso be configured with a multitude of MCD 200 and/or user specificsettings so that information exchanged between the MCD 200 and the SSCU405 can be tailored for the needs, capabilities, and privileges ofdifferent users and/or MCDs. The SSCU 405 can include a server thatcommunicates to the MCD 200 through a wireless communication means, suchas through a wireless network communication like the 802.11 family ofwireless networking protocols, a Bluetooth transmission, and/or thelike.

It should be appreciated that the MCD 200 can communicate with the SSCU405 using any of a variety of different communications mechanisms andthat the MCD 200 is not limited to any specific communication mechanism.For example, the MCD 200 can initiate cellular telephone and/orconventional telephone calls to the SSCU 405 when the MCD 200 is notlocated within or proximate to the home within which the SSCU 405 isdisposed. In another example, the MCD 200 can communicate with the homecontrol unit using short range wireless communications when in range.Communications can utilize circuit-based connections typical oftelephony communications as well as packet-based connections typical ofInternet communications.

In still another example, the MCD 200 can be linked to the SSCU 405 viaone or more interface ports.

The SSCU 405 and/or the MCD 200 can be communicatively linked to amultitude of controlled appliances that can include a lighting system410, an oven 415, a dishwasher 420, a camera 430, a surveillance system435, actuated doors 450, actuated windows 455, environmental controls425 and/or appliances. The MCD 200 can control each of the controlledappliances by triggering appropriate events within the smart spacecontrol unit 405 or by directly communicating with and controlling thecontrolled appliance.

Further, the SSCU 405 and/or the MCD 200 can be communicatively linkedto a communication system (not shown), where the communication systemcan include a home intercom system, a line based computer network, amessage service, a telephony system, an Internet connection, and/or thelike. The capabilities of the communication systems can be utilized by auser of the MCD 200 through access granted via the SSCU 405. Forexample, the communication system can communicatively link the SSCU 405to a multitude of remotely located computing systems, such as a serviceprovider 460, a neighbor 465, an emergency assistance entity 470, orother contact point.

Web services, databases, and other remotely located computing and/ordata resources can be provided by the service provider 460. The neighbor465 can be a designated contact point that can be contacted to directlysurvey or correct problems that may occur in the environment controlledby the SSCU 405 that cannot be automatically fixed via the MCD 200.

For example, the SSCU 405 can detect that a garage door has been leftopened or unlocked. In response to the detected potential securitybreach, the user of the MSD 200 can be automatically contacted andinformed of the problem. The user can then use the MSD 200 to contactthe neighbor 465 so that the neighbor can physically investigate and/orcorrect the detected problem.

In another example, the emergency assistance entity 470 can be contactedresponsive to a detected situation. For example, if the SSCU 405 detectsthe activation of a smoke detector, a fire department can be contacted.This contact can be performed directly or can occur after a user of theMCD 200 provides permission to contact the emergency assistance entity470. In one embodiment, the MCD 200 can utilize embedded communicationcapabilities to directly communicate with the service provider 460, theneighbor 465, the emergency assistance entity 470, and/or the likedirectly without using the SSCU 405 as a communication intermediary.

In operation, a user of the MCD 200 can adjust environmental controls425 of the smart space using the MCD 200. In one embodiment, a user ofthe MCD 200 can check the status of any environmental devices soconnected to the SSCU 405 to determine whether the device is on, off,turn the device on or off, set the device to automatically start or stopat predetermined times, and change settings of the device. For example,the MCD 200 can be used to change a thermostat setting with respect toheating and/or cooling, or turn on heated dry cycle in the dishwasher420.

It should be appreciated that while smart spaces have been describedwith reference to a single, centralized computer system, one or morecomputer systems can be included. For example, lighting can becontrolled with one computer system while temperature is controlled byanother, and appliances can be controlled by yet another computersystem. In another example, an appliance or appliance subsystem can beequipped with a control board, such as a Tiny interNet interface. Thecontrol board can provides internal control capabilities and one or moreconnectivity mechanism, such as a TCP/IP connection port or a RJ45/11port. Such a control board can be used to directly connect to the MCD200 and/or can utilize the SSCU 405 as a communication intermediary.

Notably, the various computer systems may or may not communicate withone another so long as each is able to communicate with the MCD 200.Still, each system can be configured to communicate with the MCD 200independently and to otherwise operate autonomously. For instance, eachappliance can be a “smart” appliance having built-in communications andcontrol mechanisms for being accessed remotely by the MCD 200.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system 500supporting the MCD 200 in accordance with the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein. The system 500 can include the MCD 200, a proxy server515, and an external server 510, each communicatively linked via acommunications network 505. The external server 510 can include the SSCUas well as servers and/or service providers communicatively accessiblevia the communications network 505.

Notably, the MCD 200 can be communicatively linked to the communicationsnetwork 505 via any suitable connection, whether wireless or wired. Theexternal server 510 can also perform one or more tasks for the MCD 200such as a speech synthesis task, a speech recognition task, acommunication task, an appliance control task, and/or the like. In onearrangement, the MCD 200 can be a thin client that is communicativelylinked to a remotely located application server. The proxy server 515can be an intermediary between the MCD 200 and the external server 510that can provide security, administrative control, and trafficmanagement for the MCD 200.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 for controlling anappliance linked to a SSCU using a mobile computing device, such as MCD200, in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Themethod can begin in step 605, where at least one application option fora controlled appliance can be presented upon a mobile computing devicehaving mobile telephony capabilities. The mobile computing device caninclude an enhanced mobile telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA)with mobile telephony capabilities, a portable media device with mobiletelephony capabilities, and/or the like. In step 610, the mobilecomputing device can receive a user input for a user status inquiryabout the controlled appliance. In step 615, a status inquiry can betransmitted within an appliance message across a wireless communicationlink between the mobile computing device and a SSCU.

In step 620, the SSCU can format the status inquiry into a differentformat tailored for communications between the SSCU and the controlledappliance. Once reformatted for the controlled appliance, the resultinginformation packet can be referred to as an appliance signal. In step625, the appliance signal can be conveyed to the controlled appliance.For example, when the controlled appliance is controlled by a X10module, the appliance signal can be conveyed over electrical power linesusing a power-line carrier protocol.

In step 630, an operational condition of the controlled appliance can bedetected. For example, when the controlled appliance is a door, theoperational condition can indicate if the door is opened/closed,locked/unlocked, and/or the like. In another example, when thecontrolled appliance is a doorbell, the operational condition canindicate if the doorbell is ringing/silent, operational/disabled, and/orthe like. In still another example, where the controlled appliance is asurveillance camera, the operational condition can indicate if thecamera is on/off, can indicate the current angle to which the camera ispositioned, can indicate a current camera magnification setting, and/orthe like. In step 635, the operational condition can be sent to the SSCUfrom the controlled appliance within an appliance control signal. Instep 640, the operational condition can be sent from the SSCU to themobile computing device within an appliance message. In step 645 anindicator of the operational condition can be displayed upon the mobilecomputing device.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for displaying appliance dataupon a mobile computing device in accordance with the inventivearrangements disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method 700 can beperformed in context of step 645 of method 600. The method 700 can beginin step 705 where, an indicator of an operational condition of acontrolled appliance can be received by a mobile computing device. Whenthe indicator is to be visually presented, the method can proceed tostep 710, where a graphic and/or text message associated with theoperational condition can be determined. For example, if the controlledappliance is a light, a graphic of a lit bulb can indicate that thelight is ‘on’ and a graphic of an unlit bulb can indicate that the lightis ‘off’. In step 715, the graphic and/or text message can be visuallydisplayed upon the mobile computing device.

When the indicator is to be audibly displayed, the method can proceed tostep 720, where a speech message and/or tone associated with theoperational condition can be determined. In an example where thecontrolled appliance is a door, a warning alarm can be associated with adoor that has been left unlocked and/or open. In another example wherethe controlled appliance is an answering machine, a previously recordedvoice message can be provided to indicate that a new voice message hasbeen placed into an answering machine. Embodiments exist where asynthetically generated voice message can be used to indicate theoperational condition as well. In step 725, the determined audiblemessage can be audibly presented upon the mobile computing device.

It should be noted that the mobile computing device detailed herein caninclude a myriad of different information presentation mechanismsincluding a display screen, an audio transducer, a tactile outputmechanism like a Braille pad and/or a vibration mechanism, and/or thelike. Further, a number of user configurable settings can be used todetermine the form through which the indicator is presented to a user.For example, a user can establish that the indication is to be audiblyprovided as a synthetically generated speech message played though aspeaker. Alternately, the user can establish that the indication is tobe visually provided via a display screen. One of ordinary skill in theart should appreciate that the particular indication mechanisms detailedherein for method 700 are for illustrative purposes only and that themethod is not to limited in this regard.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method 800 for controlling anappliance using a mobile computing device in accordance with theinventive arrangements disclosed herein. The method 800 can begin instep 805 where, a control notifier can be received via a mobilecomputing device for a controlled appliance. For example, a user canutilize an interface of the mobile computing device to turn theappliance on/off, to query an operation condition of the appliance, andto perform any other remotely controllable appliance function. Thecontrol notifier can specify the results of the user selected controloperation.

In step 810, an identification key can be conveyed to a SSCU from themobile computing device. This identification key can include acryptography key, certificate, password, and/or the like that identifieseither the user of the mobile computing device and/or the mobilecomputing device itself. In step 815, the SSCU can authorize the mobilecomputing device to remotely access the functions of the SSCU based uponthe identification key. If no security is established for remotecommunications with the SSCU, steps 810 and 815 can be skipped.

In step 820, the control notifier can be conveyed within an appliancemessage to the SSCU. In step 825, the control notifier can betransmitted to a control module within an appliance signal. The controlmodule can be coupled to the appliance to control one or moreoperational features of the appliance. The control module can either bean external module coupled between the appliance and the SSCU or can beintegrated within the appliance. In one embodiment, the control unit caninclude any of a number of commercially available appliance networkingmodules, such as an X10 module. In step 830, a suitable appliance actioncan be initiated by the control module responsive to the appliancesignal. In step 835, the initialized action can be performed and atleast one operational condition of the appliance can be responsivelyadjusted.

The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present invention can berealized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be ageneral-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when beingloaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carriesout the methods described herein.

The present invention also can be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should bemade to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

1. A method for controlling appliances comprising the steps of:presenting at least one appliance option for a controlled appliance upona mobile computing device having mobile telephony capabilities;transmitting at least one appliance message across a wirelesscommunication link established between the mobile computing device and asmart space control unit; and conveying at least one appliance signalbetween said smart space control unit and said controlled appliance. 2.The method of claim 1, where said wireless communication link is amobile telephony link.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said conveyingstep further comprises the step of: conveying said appliance signal overelectrical power lines using a power-line carrier protocol.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: detecting anoperational condition of said controlled appliance, wherein saidoperational condition is sent to said smart space control unit withinone of said appliance signals and thereafter sent to said mobilecomputing device within one of said appliance messages; and displayingan indicator of said operational condition upon said mobile computingdevice.
 5. The method of claim 4, said displaying step furthercomprising the step of: displaying a graphic to visually illustrate saidoperational condition, wherein different graphics are used to visuallyillustrate different operational conditions.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein said indicator includes a speech message, said displaying stepfurther comprising the step of: audibly playing said speech message. 7.The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: receiving astatus inquiry via the mobile computing device, wherein said statusinquiry is sent to said smart space control unit within one of saidappliance messages and thereafter sent to said controlled appliancewithin one of said appliance signals; and performing said detecting stepresponsive to said receiving step.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: receiving a control notifier via the mobilecomputing device for said controlled appliance; and responsivelyadjusting at least one operational condition of said controlledappliance.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:conveying an identification key to said smart space control space; andauthorizing said mobile computing device to access said smart spacecontrol unit based upon said identification key.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein said mobile computing device is configured as a thin client,and wherein said smart space control unit is configured as a server forsaid thin client.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof: controlling said controlled appliance using a control module suchthat in said conveying step said appliance signals are conveyed betweensaid control module and said smart space control space so that saidcontrol module can initiate an appliance action responsive to receipt ofselective ones of said appliance signals.
 12. A system for controllingappliances comprising: a mobile computing device configured for mobiletelephony communications; and a smart space control unit configured tomanage at least one controlled appliance, wherein said mobile computingdevice comprises an interface for remotely managing said controlledappliance, wherein data is exchanged between said mobile computingdevice and said controlled appliance using said smart space control unitas an intermediary.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said mobilecomputing device is a thin client and wherein said smart space controlunit is the thin client server.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein saidsmart space control unit comprises a control board including a networkinterface port.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein said controlledappliance is linked to said smart space control unit through electricallines and wherein data is conveyed between said smart space control unitand said controlled application using a power-line carrier protocol. 16.The system of claim 12, wherein said controlled appliance comprises: acontrol module configured to receive data from said smart space controlunit and responsively initiate at least one appliance action, whereinsaid control module is disposed between operative portions of thecontrolled appliance and a power source used by the controlledappliance.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein said controlled applianceis configured to receive visual input including at least one of agraphical image and a video segment, and wherein said mobile computingdevice is configured to visually display said visual input.
 18. Amachine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer programhaving a plurality of code sections, said code sections executable by amachine for causing the machine to perform the steps of: presenting atleast one appliance option for a controlled appliance upon a mobilecomputing device having mobile telephony capabilities; transmitting atleast one appliance message across a wireless communication linkestablished between the mobile computing device and a smart spacecontrol unit; and conveying at least one appliance signal between saidsmart space control unit and said controlled appliance.
 19. A system forcontrolling appliances comprising: means for presenting at least oneappliance option for a controlled appliance upon a mobile computingdevice having mobile telephony capabilities; means for transmitting atleast one appliance message across a wireless communication linkestablished between the mobile computing device and a smart spacecontrol unit; and means for conveying at least one appliance signalbetween said smart space control unit and said controlled appliance.